Two area Ninjas' move on in Vegas

By SAMANTHA SINCLAIR, For The Trentonian

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Seven of the eight “American Ninja Warrior” finalists from one New Jersey gym attempted the first stage of the finals course, and only two survived. The first stage concludes Monday, Sept. 2, on NBC at 8 p.m.

Brian Wilczewski, co-owner of the Movement Laboratory in Hainesport, will attempt the course then.

In the first stage of the finals filmed in Las Vegas two months ago, competitors must navigate through eight obstacles in less than 2 minutes, 10 seconds. The obstacles are the Timbers, Giant Cycle, Rope Glider, Jumping Spider, Half-pipe Attack, Warped Wall, Spinning Bridge and the Final Climb up a cargo net. The first three obstacles are new obstacles this year.

The Jumping Spider was a problem for many competitors. Dan “Hot Dog” Moschella of Cedar Knolls, NJ, Dan Galiczynski of Ivyland, Penn., and Jeffrey Tan of Flushing, N.Y., all saw their runs end on the Jumping Spider. Adam Grossman of Baltimore was the first competitor to make it through the Jumping Spider, but slipped and fell off the Spinning Bridge. Mike Bernardo of Washington dramatically fell on the Half-pipe Attack, earning the Warrior Wipeout of the night on Sunday’s show.

On Sunday, the first night of the finals, Travis Weinand of Philadelphia was the first competitor this season to complete the first stage. He took his time and hit the buzzer just in time with only 2.3 seconds to spare. Jamie “Captain NBC” Rahn of Barrington was the third finisher on Monday night’s show, completing the course with 19.26 seconds remaining.

Both move on to Stage 2, scheduled to start airing Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. on NBC.